President Obama recently sparked controversy when he attempted to explain America's prolonged unemployment as a consequence of automated service technologies: There are some structural issues with our economy where a lot of businesses have learned to become much more efficient with a lot fewer workers. You
The Atlantic Wire carries a story about a recent poll by the National Journal showing that Obama's popularity ratings have returned to 2008 levels (likely because of the assassination of Osama bin Laden) but that his numbers have actually declined among young people (ages 18
Rescuing Idealism from Today’s Political Cynics Barack Obama energized an entire generation of young people in 2008 with his declaration, “Yes we can!” “HOPE,” “PROGRESS” and “CHANGE” emblazoned the iconic red and blue posters portraying the confident young Obama gazing optimistically into the future. But as
Thirty years after the hostage crisis, Iranians are bravely challenging their government. Despite the theocracy’s attempt to crush these protests, Iranians have once again taken to the streets. Imagine what might happen—the potential benefit to us and to Iran—if instead of declaring that we seek “a
President Obama has received praise from left and right for his speech accepting the Nobel Peace Prize. Commentators applauded Obama’s recognition that force and war are sometimes necessary to secure peace. Obama openly states that evil exists in the world, and that force is sometimes
Countless voices are claiming medical care is a right. Is it? Throughout the health care debate, Republicans and Democrats have argued over many points, such as which kinds of reforms would most effectively give all Americans access to health care and how much we should be
The Washington Post recently reported that the federal government has changed the rules of the $1 trillion program to relieve banks of toxic assets. President Obama’s administration is back-pedalling on promises it made to financial institutions only a month ago that they would not face
Last week at the G-20 summit, President Obama came under much scrutiny when he bowed to the king of Saudi Arabia. Earlier last week, Obama traveled the Middle East, pronouncing to its people that Americans should be “respectful [of the Islamic religion], even when we
In spending its way to economic recovery, the government boldly casts principles aside Many Americans have experienced the adverse consequences of the recent economic downturn: retirement savings wiped out, jobs lost, or at least a general feeling of financial uncertainty. Our leaders in Washington have reacted
The recent bonuses paid to executives in the financial division of AIG have created a firestorm. In response to the national outrage, the government has bent over backwards to find some loophole that would allow it to take back these bonuses, bonuses that were not